How Relevant Is Freud Today

Sigmund Freud was arguably one of the most influential psychologists in the investigation of personality, and his work can still, to some extent, be considered relevant today. His methods allowed for the first time the investigation of phenomena that were previously difficult to tackle, such as dreams and sexual desires. “Yes and No” is a justified reply to the question of whether Freud is relevant today in that his ideas on personality were the first to investigate the role of childhood trauma, and have been reflected in the work of many other psychologists since, either as a continuation of his work or as a reaction to it.

In this essay, the relevance of Freud's Personality Theory will be assessed, with reference to conflicting theories, such as social-cognitive, trait and biological approaches. It can be argued that Freud's original ideas still have relevance today as they sparked off much research, leading to the development of more thorough and relevant theories, as well as the development of techniques for research and therapy. Most other personality theories were developed at least partly due to the limitations of his work (Pervin et al, 2005). However, the relevance can be thrown into question in terms of Freud's outdated methods, and his inability to accept new evidence or research that conflicted with his ideas.

Central to Freud's psychoanalytical theory is the idea that peoples' actions are driven by powerful, innate biological urges that must be satisfied (Schaffer, 2008). Many of his ideas caught on early in the twentieth century, as they covered a wide scope, and even today his insights are still influential, however many psychologists have severe criticisms of his methods, and disagree with his theories. One such criticism is that the empirical testing of Freud's theory is very difficult, almost impossible, therefore the scientific status of psychoanalytic theory can be questioned. “We can no more test Freudian hypotheses on the couch than we can adjudicate between the rival hypotheses of Newton and Einstein by going to sleep under the apple tree” (Eynsenck, 1953, cited by Pervin et al). The terminology used in psychoanalysis can be vague and ambiguous, for example how can we define libido? (Gleitman et al, 2004). Also, the energy model, while it is a useful metaphor for personality functioning, it cannot adequately explain the complexity of human behaviour. Freud's theory does not allow for predictions in the future, and does not explain phenomena from the past, therefore it is no surprise that “many psychologists believe the theory should be set aside in favour of other, more powerful conceptions.” (Gleitman et al, 2004)

A major critic of Freudian theory was Hans J. Eynsenck, who believed that a serious shortcoming of psychoanalytic theory was the lack of precise, reliable measures (Pervin et al, 2005). Eynsenck placed emphasis on the biological basis of personality traits, and used the method of factor-analysis to establish the basic traits of personality. It can be argued that trait approaches to personality are more relevant to today's study of personality than earlier Freudian ideas, as Freud and other early theorists relied heavily on pure intuition while trait theorists rely on an objective, statistical procedure (Pervin et al, 2005). The Five-Factor Model of Personality was developed as a solution to the fact that there are many different words that can describe personality traits; in English alone, there are more than 5,000 words to describe personality characteristics (Pervin et al, 2005). Everrett (1983) suggested that the number of factors used for determining personality traits should be decided by comparing rotated solutions in different samples and using the one solution that could be replicated (McCrae, 1987). The five factor solution showed high replication of all factors, demonstrating that when compared to psychoanalytic theory, trait theories have higher reliability and...

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...The theories of Sigmund Freud were advanced and are very important to modern society. This physician and neurologist are often measured as having one of the greatest inspired minds. Throughout his entire childhood Freud had been planning a career in law. Not long before he entered the University of Vienna in 1873 Freud decided to become a medical student. He was drawn to a study of science and he wanted to solve problems facing the scientists of his day. His intent was not to be a conventional doctor but pressed by his greed for knowledge. Over the next few years Freud gradually formulated his own ideas for the treatment of mental illness.
Freud's goal was to get his patients to understand their feelings and help them find ways to deal with them. Although he was famous for being the father of psychoanalysis, Freud was not partial to that field. He came up with his own theory of mind to explain all mental activity and applied that theory to all aspects of culture: art, literature, religion, politics, education, and law. His wide-ranging writings show his awareness in all these subjects. Freud is one of the most influential thinkers in history. People understand human nature much better because of his views. His theories on sexual development have opened up conversation and treatment of sexual matters. Freud had much to say about the existence of sexual needs in human beings...

...Psychology :Assignment One - by Laura Normington
Is Freud’s Psychology important today?
Freud’s Principium school psychoanalytical theory offered humanity a coherent annotation detailing the intrinsic aspects of the human psyche, and the developmental stages of personality.
In order to determine the present importance of his work I will initially outline Freud’s key concepts and take in to consideration the contributions applied by Neo-Freudians in my on-going assessments. I shall also continue to identify valid criticisms within the theoretical framework of psychoanalysis before culminating in a conclusive evaluation of Freud’s relevance today.
Freud postulated that unconscious mental processes were at constant play in the human psyche and that they could be the causation for certain symptoms and behaviours. This introductory emphasis on mentality rather than neurology to explain neuroses irrevocably changed our concept of the unconscious mind and the influence it exerts over our behaviour.
The methods of free association, dreams, jokes and slips of the tongue were employed and analysed by Freud in interpreting the repressed thoughts and feelings, that are usually held captive in the in the unconscious by the ego as a defence mechanism.
Freud’s hypothesis of a three part personality structure consisting of the Id, Ego and Super-ego correlated an innate, instinctual, pleasure seeking drive in conflict...

...
“Freud’s Not Dead; He’s Just Really Hard to Find,” by Susan Krauss Whitbourne, PhD, explains the role of Freud’s foundational psychoanalysis theories in psychology today. Freud’s contributions may seem irrelevant in concepts in present day psychology. Freud’s contributions are rarely referred to today in specialized psychology classes and departments, but most undergraduate and general psychology programs teach concepts that are common to Freud’s central perspectives about the unconscious mind. Freud’s concepts and ideas are taught in more of a historical content in curriculum. The Freudian theory is publicized on television shows, movies, documentaries, and even game shows. Freud is to psychology as Newton is to physics. Freud’s theories provide the basis and principles for building upon much like Newton’s laws. Popular theories in psychology today have originated from Freud. The attachment theory originated from Freud’s focus on the importance of emotional bonds in infancy. Defense mechanisms also originated from Freud’s theories. Brain imaging and computerized testing scans allow researchers to study unconscious brain activity caused by stimuli down to the millisecond. Freud believed in using the “talking cure” because he was unable to adequately create hypotheses. He used the “talking cure” by talking to his clients without restraint. One of the most difficult areas to find Freud’s...

...Liberty University |
Sigmund Freud +Psychoanalysis |
“Why we do what we do” |
Mary McClain Liberty University |
04/1/13 |
Abstract, In psychoanalysis, we have a dynamic psychology with a vengeance. Its originator, Sigmund Freud, whatever we think of his elaborately evolved system, was a genius. Not being a psychologist by training, he was able to start from scratch, unconcerned about the gains of traditional or, for that matter, untraditional psychology. Beginning as a physician, engaged at first in neurology and pediatrics, he found himself in the field of psychiatry, and thence proceeded to revolutionize not only our whole psychological conception but the entire outlook on civilization.
Journal Article Summary, 1.
The first article is called “ Sigmund Freud” from the Britannica online encyclopedia Liberty University, and Wikipedia online. Most, if not all the articles seem to say the same thing. Early life and training, (born May 6, 1856) , Freiberg, Moravia, Austrian Empire-died September 23, 1939, He was 83 when he died. London, England), Austrian neurologist, founder of psychoanalysis. He was a Austrian neurologist who became known as the founding father of psychoanalysis....

... by Sigmund Freud is the first account of his theory regarding dreams as “… physical phenomena of complete validity – fulfillments of wishes” (200). This narrative moves forth to elaborate on his theory with numerous examples to illustrate that dreams indeed represent pure wish fulfillments, whether they do so in a manner most clear or obscure. Twenty years hence, in “Beyond the Pleasure Principle’, Freud disregards this theory as it fails to rationalize the traumatic dreams he encounters in the veterans of the First World War. Although his new work seems to have an interpretation of dreams that is not in line with its precursor, this paper argues on the fact that the two theories can in fact be fit into the theory of wish fulfillment itself. This analysis examines the language of skepticism and contradiction inherent in Freud’s writing in order o view how Freud’s theories fold back upon themselves.
Through various examples in the “Interpretation of Dreams”, Freud describes dreams as ‘pure wish fulfillments’. He illustrates the myriad of wishes that dreams fulfill, which range from as simple as quenching a thirst to as complex as fulfilling some convoluted desire buried deep in one’s being. The example regarding the woman that has a dream about her nephew’s death and the long-winded process of its interpretation as a “dream of impatience”(237) to see the man she loves, illustrates the complexity with which a dream...

...historical and scientific knowledge as well as critic, satire and etc. Many of the literature works that we assume as successful in fact deal with more than only one subtext. Either a historical reference or a scientific knowledge has been placed in it.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or The Portrait of Dorian Gray are only two of the above mentioned sub texted works. Both Robert Louis
Stevenson and Oscar Wilde witness Freud’s life and studies and they make use of his theories in their successful works. Freud’s personality theory in which includes three drives of our conscious is obviously observed in both works. Sigmund Freud, a famous neurologist living between 1856 and 1939, worked over psychoanalysis during his life and separated the human conscious into three drives which are controlling and shaping our behaviours from birth to death. Freud believed that personality has three structure; the id, the ego and the superego.
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Psychoanalytic theory.
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), commonly referred to as the father of the psychoanalytical approach by many (Heffernan,1997) believed that the occurrence of the second world war, and indeed the rise of the Nazis derived from the aggressive drives, which are present in everybody not being held at bay by an inner conscience (Atkinson, Atkinson, Bem, Nolen-Hoeksema and Smith, 2000). The following paragraphs will describe the varying levels that Freud believed encompassed the human mind, in his topographical and structural model, and how these each play a part in the development of the human personality.
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...When hearing human growth and development, Sigmund Freud is the name that comes to most minds. Freud is well known in the psychology field based on his theories, including his psychoanalytic theory. This was mainly used for study the sexual mind, with main focus on the unconscious. Freud created the five stages beginning at birth to onward puberty.
In the psychoanalytic theory, the oral stage begins from birth to eighteen months. Here, a child will learn about their surroundings by placing things in their mouth. This could be triggered from weaning off breast milk.
The anal stage will take place from 18 months until three years of age. This is where ‘potty training’ takes place and one will learn about personal hygiene.
Phallic stage will be followed from the anal stage; this will usually be seen from 3-6 years of age. In this period, a child’s main focus is on their genitals. Children will attempt to act as much as their same sex parent. This is where the terms Oedipus complex and penis envy will be seen. Oedipus complex is when a son’s main focus is on the mother’s attention. Penis envy will deal with a daughter blaming her mother for not having a penis. This stage is the most controversial by other theorists and critics.
Ages from 6 to puberty will be considered the latency stage; a child will be consumed by same sex friends and activities. One will become consumed with sports and school related...